Earth Notes

The azure western bluebird and noisy red-breasted nuthatch are among the most common and beloved birds on the Colorado Plateau. But, will they and others still live here as the Southwest’s climate warms and dries? Our national parks may be a deciding factor.

A hundred years ago, migratory birds suddenly became much safer, thanks to the outrage of two Victorian-era Boston women. Their efforts led to passage of landmark legislation, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. To mark the centennial of that important law, 2018 has been declared Year of the Bird.

Doppler radar is a crucial tool for spotting severe weather, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. When a thunderstorm is far away, the radar can typically only see the upper portions of it.  

One-quarter of all mammal species are bats—and they’re a prominent feature of night skies across North America. But a devastating disease has swept westward across the country since 2006, causing bat numbers to decline drastically.

The wind scorpion can be terrifying, both in looks and behavior. But despite the common name, it’s actually not a scorpion or a true spider.